The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 8, July 1904 - April, 1905 Page: 233

Explanation by Stephen F. Austin.

233

tion and that of the state of Coahuila and Texas are well acquainted.
But the public, which has not had the requisite information, can not
understand the origin of these calumnies or the appearances from
which they have emanated; consequently, it is an act of justice, de-
manded by the circumstances, that it should be explained to the peo-
ple, as well for their own satisfaction-since the Mexican populace
has the right to be correctly informed concerning everything that
bears relation to the common interest-as for the vindication of the
worthy people of Texas, who, perhaps, on account of such rumors,
have suffered unjustly in the good opinion of their fellow-citizens,
which they deserve and ought to enjoy, as Mexicans who have never
deviated in the slightest from their obligations.
For the proper understanding of the affairs of Texas a glance is
necessary at the geographical and political situation of the country,
at the character and occupations of its inhabitants, and at its pro-
ductions, in order, in view of these premises, to answer the funda-
mental question, What are the true interests of Texas?
That district was a distinct and separate province under the Span-
ish government, and, as such, it was a participant in the war for
independence, was represented in the constituent congress, and was
provisionally united to Coahuila by the law of May 7, 1824, to form
the state of Coahuila and Texas. It is exclusively agricultural, its
inhabitants are tillers of the soil, and possess the virtues of in-
dustry, strength of character, regular habits, and ardent love of lib-
erty and of prompt and wholesome administration of justice, which
usually animate this important class in all enlightened countries.
With their arms they have conquered those lands, warring inces-
santly against the savage Indians; with their plows they have made
the desert disappear; and they are habitually enterprising.
The chief products of Texas are cotton, corn, beans, indigo, to-
bacco, garden vegetables, lard, cheese, butter, and all kinds of stock
known in the republic. Its rivers and creeks afford abundant facil-
ities for the establishment of mills and factories. The climate is
hot in summer and cold in winter; it is unhealthful on the rivers
and along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, which borders Texas from
the Sabine river to the Nueces. There are ports adequate to ac-
commodate, and abundant timber for the construction of, medium
sized vessels.